Startup Genome launched the first cohort of the Global Hypergrowth Tokyo late-stage scaling program in March 2024 in partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The initiative aims to propel the best Tokyo tech companies into successful global commercialization and expansion into international target markets.

The program addresses a significant support gap for fast-growing startups, recognizing them as drivers of economic growth and competitiveness, and creators of sustainable jobs and societal wellbeing. In its inaugural cohort, Hypergrowth provides 21 companies from Tokyo with access to global mentors, expert scaling advice from leading executives, go-to market support, and connections to potential new customers and investors.

The companies selected represent a variety of sub-sectors, including Deep Tech, Life Sciences, and AI, and have raised close to $100 million in total funding as they look to expand overseas.

In this article series, Startup Genome introduces the cohort companies, exploring the groundbreaking technologies each startup is developing to make a positive impact on the world.

Introducing NFC Digital Receipt Startup Pi-xcels

Founded in 2019, Pi-xcels offers a system to deliver instant, eco-friendly digital receipts for retailers, corporations, and other offline commerce enterprises. Its technology allows physical stores to capture more meaningful data about customers with no app download, no email address, and no phone numbers required.

Merchants are not required to purchase hardware to use the service, but instead install firmware on their handheld payment terminal devices. With the technology, merchants can complete transactions with mobile payment, credit card, or cash to produce an e-receipt. In addition to the ease of operation and reduced paper waste, Pi-xcels’ technology transforms multiple types of payment transactions into enhanced meaningful interactions for shoppers while helping retailers drive revenue.

For customers, Pi-xcels technology provides a seamless experience, using their mobile phone to tap a merchant’s Pi-xcels-compatible device and receive an interactive receipt instantly on the phone’s browser. Customers can view purchase-related content and promotions while providing feedback or requesting support, driving business value for merchants.

Its increased customer data acquisition provides actionable insights and added marketing opportunities. For example, its digital receipts could show makeup tutorial videos or recipes that can be opened on the customer’s mobile browser and encourage additional upsell.

Pi-xcels’ technology also helps with customer relationship management, allowing retailers to easily build email lists and collect client data at checkout. Retailers can mine digital receipt data to identify top consumers and the types of items they are most likely to purchase in the future. Data on customers’ behavior, preferences, and demographics allows data-driven decision making to improve both the business’ bottom line and the customers’ satisfaction.